Rough-legged Buzzard

Buteo lagopus (Pontoppidan, 1763)

Distribution

Everywhere in Kazakhstan occurs only on dispersals and wintering.

Biology

Common winter visitor. Occurs in open landscapes in steppe and desert zones, in areas with presence of prominence such as poles, trees or stacks. Twice observed in highlands of Zailiyskiy Alatau, Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake (15 December 1974 and 8 January 1975). In autumn occasionally appears in the end of September, but mainly in October or early November, autumn migration isn't apparently visible. Spring migration is more noticeable; begins in the end of February – March, most birds observed in late March – early April. Latest birds observed in the end of April.

Subspecies

Description. Dark race. Dominant colour of upper parts is dark-brown, sometimes black-brown. Edges of mantle feathers and scapulars are usually grey. Under parts are dark. Streaks on throat and craw are brownish and slightly developed. Feathers of belly, flanks and leg feathers are usually dark-brown with light-barred. Tail-bands are dense, black-brown and usually range to base of tail. Male wing length 406-438 (418), female 426-468 (444) mm.Distribution. Winters in Kazakhstan; the range of distribution isn't explored.